What is it like being a bartender?

Question

Im almost 22 and thinking about being a bartender. I know i need to attend a class but i hear money can be pretty good and im struggling to put myself through the last year of school and then possibly grad school. What is it like? Hard job? Get yelled at constantly?

Answer 1

i'm taking the course at mix' em up. It's really fun! but when you work for real, it's a big responsibility! good money... depends where you work. you have to be fast, super nice and know all the drinks on the top of your head!!! But i'm loving it!

Answer 2

I was a bartender in a very busy bar in England to pay for Uni. We'd have 10 staff and maybe 250 capacity? Gotta say, if you're a 'people person' it's a great job. Different, lively and funny. You need to be lucky and work in a bar that suits you. I'm into my career now, but it's one of the best jobs I've had (I've had quite a few!).  

Treat every customer equally, always know who's next and enjoy yourself! .  

Answer 3

it's really fun if you're a sociable person. long hard hours though; you'd be surprised how tired it makes you. brilliant fun though, and good tips.

Answer 4

When I bartended I made good $$ and had alot of fun. It is hard work and the people can be very obnoxious but you deal with it...you don't need a license (in Calif. anyway) and you don't necessarily need to go to school if you can find someone who will train you. I bartended at a hotel in Marina del Rey CA that the Virgin Atlantic flight crew stayed at and it was a blast.Richard Branson tipped me $100 once.

Answer 5

It's not all that bad - LOL

There will be times ( alot of times) when the bar is packed and you are stressing to get all the drinks out.

Waitresses can be a pain also - but they are under the same pressure as you are.  

Answer 6

there is no such thing as a bartender's licence.

There are certification classes in some vocational schools and adult ed stuff around in bigger cities, but otherwise all you have to do is learn yourself and be ready to learn when you start working at the bar.

Answer 7

A lot of being a bartender is looks and personality. Sadly, I have neither, so I learned to make a d**n good drink! Getting a license is a matter of your city, not state. each time you move, or cross city boundaries, you need to apply at that city hall fo a license. Taking a class is good, but being in the trenches is where you really learn.

Remember, though, if you have a license and go to a party and underagers are, if busted, they can fine you more because of your license,or even pull it. Sadly guilt by association matters. just a FYI for you.  Other than that, the money if good, go for it!

Answer 8

I'd skip the class, for the amount of money they charge, the material they cover, and lack of job placement, on the job training is much more rewarding; plus you're already working. Buy a book on bartending for like $5-$10 so you learn common terminology and techniques. It's also helpful to memorize many common recipes, which you can get online.

The main thing to do is find a job in a bar. It's very competitive, so you may have to work as a bar back for awhile, which is fine, you'll still learn and network. You probably want to choose busy, popular bars to apply to, and keep trying till one hires you. I enjoyed more popular places to the slower or restaurant bars much more.

It is good money if you're busy. It's very fast, busy work but I wouldn't say hard once you get the hang of it, and it's fun. The hours are good in some ways, bad in others. There's lots of cleaning afterwards. But you meet lots of people and have many conversations. I've met many new friends, girlfriends, and found out where the parties are through being a bartender. You don't get yelled at usually. Just stay laid back and move quick, it's about fun and serving drinks. Definitely a great experience while in school. The only reason I quit was because I started to always want to be on the other side of the bar ordering, not serving.

You don't need a license, the bar is what needs the liquor license. Maybe you live in an area where that's required though?.. I've worked all over the country.

Answer 9

It's part cleaning, part mixing drinks, part counselor, part babysitter, and you get really busy, especially with server drinks and the bar.  I put myself through college bartending, the money was great!